Riverfront Vision

Cutting a confident figure from the riverbanks as the ferry draws close, 180 George creates a clear visual maker that helps define the arrival experience into the rapidly transforming city of Parramatta – smoothly welcoming people into the rhythms of the vibrant location. As an expansion, the development’s podium façade extends the ground floor’s public domain while framing the existing heritage building – opening out to create a generous sense of scale and frame significant views.  

Composed to achieve maximum residential amenity and most compelling views, the project’s dual towers form an integral part of city’s northern skyline. As functional as they are elegant, the towers incorporate several technological advancements that address the challenges of height and environmental impact. This commitment to balancing amenity, function and aesthetic continues into the building’s apartments, which a set apart by their rich and refined material palette and carefully considered, unobstructed views.  

‘People Architecture’ at great heights Q&A with Principal Jason Fraser

1. What was the technological approach to designing a tower of this height?

180 George Street incorporates several technological advancements that address the challenges of height and environmental impact typically faced by tall towers. As well as being beautiful, the building’s curved appearance mitigates challenges brought on wind by making the structure more aerodynamic. Inside, the 1000 square meter floorplate has been carefully programmed to make the most of the space available, while the decision to lower the building’s podium allows a stronger relationship with the city’s scale – creating easy transitions between the surrounding amenities and riverfront services.  

180 George Street involved meticulous planning through drawings and models. Particular focus was paid to ensuring that Harrisford House – a heritage-listed former residence, school building and factory workshop built between 1823 and 1829 – was well integrated. Aware of the impact these buildings would have on the city’s northern skyline, traditional façade treatments were avoided in favour of a more dynamic visual experience – resulting in the dual towers giving the sense of ‘looking away’ from one another.

2. What impact will this building have on the surrounding community/how is it people-centric?  

As one of the tallest residential developments in Western Sydney, 180 George draws the eye. As a result, the team were dedicated to using the projects’ natural pull as an opportunity to pull visual references from the ground – like the river – and reinterpret them to create interest in the skyline. The view of the development was also considered at a human scale, and there are a number of moments where the viewer can be completely immersed in nature when arriving from the river.  

With the introduction of 1,000 apartments, 180 George contributes significantly to the growth of Parramatta’s diversity and density. The decision to increase height aligns with the City’s vision for stimulating development without adverse impacts. ‘Parramatta has actively developed it’s commercial and cultural attributes over the past decade. A number of new high quality commercial buildings support commerce and education. Cultural facilities such as the stadium, aquatic centre and relocated Powerhouse Museum are all adding considerably to the civic and cultural opportunities for the community.  To ensure the success of these developments Parramatta City Council have been proactively embracing height, fostering change and enhancing visibility in the area, supporting a vibrant and engaged community. 

3. What’s unique about designing a tall tower/what challenges did you need to overcome?  

Designing a tall tower does present unique challenges, specifically regarding the use of materials and the creation of an inviting atmosphere from such a great height. 

In terms of materials, the design utilises glass as a tool to create a sense of lightness. Triple-glazed, floor to ceiling glass maximizes natural light – increasing insulation performance, energy efficiency and security and decreasing noise and heat loss. The podium acts differently with a more robust and solid materiality that grounds the tower and connects to the city and river.   

In terms of the tower’s role within the city skyline, the team were committed to creating an interesting addition, placed at it’s river gateway, that suited Parramatta. Aware that tall buildings serve as urban markers—similar to churches or clock towers—by providing natural wayfinding cues in the landscape, the team created a dual silhouette that feels cohesive in the urban fabric without getting lost within it.